Mubarak urges parliament to find solutions to citizens needs
Egypt, Politics, 12/12/2000

Egypt's President Mubarak has called on the new People's Assembly to pay wider attention to the interests of citizens when it considers any legislation.

The President said the People's Assembly must show higher performance in control and legislation especially in legislations that are associated with low income citizens' interests.

The President urged members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Parliamentary Body to make elaborate discussions on all laws put forward to them, calling on them to introduce amendments that protect citizens' interests? President Mubarak congratulated members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary body meeting Monday and all MPS over winning the people's confidence in the recent parliamentary elections.

"The President expressed confidence that the new parliament would be a strong on working for the people's own good and interests," said Minister of Information Safwat AL Sherif in statements.

"We were not born with silver spoons in our mouths, the good of the citizens must be a priority," said President Mubarak, adding that most of the laws are to be referred to the Shura (Consultative) Council for study.

"The President pointed out that the Shura study of draft laws and legislation provides a good chance for MPs to get abreast of all the dimensions before entering the parliament," said Sherif.

Boycott

President Mubarak answered queries by members of the (NDP) parliamentary body.

On boycotting foreign commodities, the President said that before we take any measure we have to mull over the situation to get the right decision.

"We have to probe whether the decision to boycott the US commodities will affect our exports to the US market and whether we could boycott spare parts, equipment and aircraft or we would select certain commodities," said Mubarak.

He pointed out that the decision in this respect must be determined in light of the public interest, not just to take machismo decisions, adding that relations mean import and export, in other words wide interests that affect import and export.

On recalling the Egyptian Ambassador to Israel and the related impact on Egypt's role in the peace process, President Mubarak said Egypt has diplomatic relations with Israel and some voices are calling for severing them.

"This might be floated when there is some hazard or direct threats against Egypt and we always have to put into account that Egypt's role in this region is pivotal," he said.

Egypt today is playing an important role in restoring affairs in the region back to normal, as the other parties in the peace process are preoccupied in their own issues.

"We are looking for a way and not a boycott because the latter means that the doors of dialogue and talks are closed," said Mubarak, elaborating that Egypt can utter the right words more than any other party in the peace process, whose policies are subject to pressure groups and whose fair role performance is trimmed.

"This is not exclusive to the issue of boycott, but rather in any other matter," said Mubarak.

We should not take a decision that prompts others to applaud us and then wait for us to backtrack, "he added.

"The people are right to boycott Israeli commodities, but when it comes to European and US Commodities, we have to consider it in a bird's eye view, bearing in mind the ensuing impact on production, plants and basic commodities," said the President.

Israeli sovereignty over A1 Haram is impossible

President Mubarak emphasized Egypt's clinging to its principles based on rightfulness, justice and counsel that lead to stability.

"I have warned and advised the Israeli Prime Minister against issues pertaining to Jerusalem, AL Haram AL Sharif and religions," he said, stating that Israeli sovereignty over AL Haram is impossible and can never be accepted by either the Palestinians or the Arabs.

"When Egypt supports the Palestinian leader's decision as the person responsible before the Palestinian people, we knew for sure that he does not accept concessions on AL Haram and Holy Jerusalem," said the President.

He accentuated that it is inevitable after all to recognize the Palestinian sovereignty over AL Haram and Holy Jerusalem.

Previous Stories:
  Middle East situation volatile, but has chances for the better   (12/11/2000)
  Mubarak to discuss aspects of national action program   (12/11/2000)
  Arab follow-up committee to conduct peace process   (12/9/2000)

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